Abdominal belt



May 29, 1928.

ABDOMINAL BELT C. A. MULLER Filed Dec. 51, 1924 Patented May 29, 1928.

UNITED STATES.

CAROLINE A. MULLER, OF MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA.

ABDOMINAL BELT.

Application filed December 31, 1924. Serial No. 759,016.

This invention relates to an abdominal belt for women. While the belt is very efficient in many different uses, one particular use thereof from which very beneficial results have been obtained, is that of correcting the trouble known as fallen stomach which is experienced by quite a few women. In this ailment, which is more frequent among thin women, the internal muscles apparently-become relaxed and the stomach and other organs become dislocated. and move to a very low position in the abdo' men. In fact, these organs sometimes sink until a support is obtained from the pelvic bone. This results in a series and objectionable pressure upon the uterus and other lower organs causing quite a serious condition. By the use of the present invention the stomach is raised and supported and the other organs areialso incidentally lifted so that great relief is experienced by the patient. The belt ofthis invention also has great utility in preventing any serious dislocation of the internal organs.

It is an object of this invention to pro vide an abdominal belt adapted to embrace the abdomen, comprising a strip of fabric having circumferentially spaced stays therein and an opening which is adjustable by an adjustable connecting means, together with additional adjustable moans spanning said opening for obtaining a localized pressure on certain parts of the body whereby "this pressure can be applied under the stomach and the stomach raised.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an abdominal belt adapted to emrace a portion of the body below the waist comprising a comparatively wide strip of fabric having circumferentially spaced stays therein andhaving an opening which may be adjusted by adjustable connecting means and another opening which is closed by fixed connecting means, said belt having a stay at each side of said first mentioned opening and a pair of stays of shorter length spaced from. each of said first mentioned stays.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a belt, as set forth in the preceding paragraph having a pair of straps spanning said opening and located intermediate the top and bottom of said belt, which straps have adjusting buckles thereon, which buckles are adapted to overlie one of said pairs of stays.

it i t ll WW e t 91 the vent on a:

provide an abdominal belt comprising a strip of fabric adapted to extend substantially from the waist line to the groin, which belt has circuini'ferentially.spaced stays therein terminating short of the bottom of the belt and which has a central opening adjustable in width and an opening at one side of said central. opening adapted to be closed by fixed connecting means, said belt also having a pair of spaced comparatively narrow strips extending across the adjustable opening intermediate its top and bottom edges.

It is still another object of the invention to provide such a belt havin at the left side thereof a pad, preferabFy of kidney shape, having its concave side disposed upwardly and said pad being disposed in an inclined position.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be more fully set forth in the following description. made in connection. with the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views, and in which,

Fig.1 is a view in front elevation of the belt, a portion of the hose supporting straps thereon being broken away;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section taken on the 7 line 2.2 of Fig. 1, and shown on an enlarged scale;

Fig. 3 is a view in front elevation of a portion of the belt, certain parts being omitted, the same also being shown on an enlarged scale.

Referring to the drawings, a belt is shown comprising a comparatively wide strip of fabric 4. The belt is designed to embrace the abdomen, and while the width thereof may vary, in the embodiment of the invention. illustrated, the belt is shown as extending substantially from the waist line to the groin or bottom of the abdomen. The strip 4 has secured therein by stitching, spaced circumferentially stays 5. made of hard elastic or resilient material. which stays terminate quite a distance from the bottom of the belt. The belt has a central opening 6 therein and adjacent each edge of this opening there is located. a stay 7 of somewhat greater length than the stays 5. Spaced from each of the stays 7 is a pair of stays 8 which are disposed in close proximity. and which are considerably shorter in length than the stays 7. At the inner side of the stays 7 the belt is provided with rows of eye lets 9 and the opening 6 is adapted to be adjustably varied by a lacing 10. The belt is also adapted to be opened along the line 11 at one side, preferablythe right side of the opening 6 and the beltis closed along the line 11 bythe fixed connecting means 12 comprising an ordinary loop and pinor button connection. Intermediate the top and bottom edges of the belt and approximately midway thereof, the opening 6 is spanned by a pair of comparatively narrow straps 13 and 14 spaced at distance somewhat less than their width. These straps l i' are connected at the right side of the belt adjacent the front of the belt and near one of the stays 8 and the straps 13 at the other side of the belt are connected at some distance from opening 6 adjacent a side of the belt and near one of the stays 5. The straps 14 carry buckles 15 adapted to be engaged by the ends,

. of straps 13 so that the secured ends of both pairs, of straps will be brought closer together. The buckles 15 are adapted to overlie one of the pair of ribs 8 at the left side of the opening 6 and it will be noted that the; stays 8 terminate substantially at the bottom edge of the lower buckle. The belt is cut away, as shown at 16, at .the bottom front corner thereof for comfort and the belt carries at its lower edge garter or hose sup porting straps 17 whichwill be equipped with the usual hose'supporting cl'asps, one of which is shown as 18. The rear of the belt, as shown Lin Fig. 1, is somewhat wider than the front thereof. It will also be notedthat there are a pair of closely spaced eyelets 1 nor side of the belt and this pad, preferably,

is of curved oblong or kidney shape, being disposed in an upwardly inclined position With'its concave side directed upwardly.

In operation, the belt will be adjusted on the patient by proper adjustment of the lacing 6. After the belt has been snugly fitted, the straps 13 and 14 will be adjusted, The belt is designed for the patientso that the lower buckle 15 will come substantially at the bottom of the stomacl'i after this organ has been raised from fallen position. The position of the stomach with thebelt properly adjusted is indicated in dotted lines as 20in The buckles 15,, it will be noted, overlie the stays 8 at the. left hand side of'the opening 6.. When the belt is first. adjusted fon'a case of fallen stomach the bublzle will overl'iefthe stay 8 nearest the obtained with .the belt.

opening 6, and as the patient improves the straps will be somewhat more tightened so that the buckle may be moved over to the next stay 8 at the left hand side of opening 6. A very beneficial effect is obtained by having the lower buckle 15 substantially at the lower end of the stays Sand a ma terial and considerable localized pressure is obtained. at this point, which lifts and holds in position the stoinach'and internal organs. \Vhcn the pad 19 is used, this localized pressure is increased and more support .is afforded forthe raised stomach. As stated, this pad is used with Very where there is comparatively little flesh and fatty tissues. The inventor, who is an experienced, fitter, has worked out the invention in connection with. surgical specialists thin persons and'soine very remarkable results havebcen X-ray pictures taken before and after the use of the belt show conclusively that the stomach has been raised a considerable distance. Great relief is thus afforded many patients. After the belt has been correctly fitted the patient can, remove the same by operating the connecting means. 12 and the belt. can be replaced by the patient without readjustment.

position the internal organs.

other. ailments and for properly holding in From the above description you will see that applicant has provided a very; simple 'and eilicient abdominal belt and one which has brought relief to a great number of patients. The (iQXICG is comparatively simple and inexpens ve and the same s belng comcess. A

It will, of course, be understood, that various changes may be made in the form,

body adjacent and below the waist, and

having a front central opening, adjustable fastening means for varying the width of said opening, a pair of spaced comparativelynari ow straps secured at one'end at the front portion of said belt adjacent said opening and provided with buckles, a pair spaced straps secured adjacent the side of said belt at the other side of said openmercially made and has met with great suci ing respectively horizontally alined with said first named straps and adapted to engage said buckles whereby the straps span said opening and a localized pressure can be placed on said belt and body between the fixed ends of said straps.

2. An abdominal belt comprising a strip of flexible material adapted to embrace the abdomen having spaced ends forming a front opening therefor, adjustable means connecting said ends to vary the size of said opening, said belt having an opening at one side of said opening, spaced stays at each side of said front opening, one of said stays at the side of said front opening, opposite that on which said latter opening is located terminating a considerable distance above the bottom of said belt, a pair of Vertically spaced straps secured at each side of said front opening being securedatone end between said openings, one pair of which is equip ed with buckles, said buckles being dispose to overlie said stay and the buckle on said lower strap being disposed substantially at the lower end of said stay.

3. The structure set forth in claim 2, a pad at the inner side of said belt substantially opposite the lower end of said stay, and having a convex lower edge and adapted to be located opposite the lower corner of the stomach of the wearer.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

CAROLINE A. MULLER. 

